Allergies: Your Spring 2014 Forecast

Last winter was merciless for those of us who slogged through frigid temps and never-ending snows. So you’d think we’d all embrace spring with wide-open arms and smiley faces. Instead, those of us with pollen allergies will be greeting the budding season feeling sneezier and more sniffly than ever.

That’s because all that polar vortex chilling delayed tree flowering. Now that we’ve warmed up a bit, the trees have gone into overdrive to catch up. The result? Achoo!

Just in time, two new allergy drugs were recently approved by the FDA. Both operate on the same principle as allergy shots—they are immunotherapy, meaning they help your body become less reactive to pollen. Immunotherapy pills have been available in Europe for some time, but the FDA's approval marks the first time that oral immunotherapy is available in the US. The two new drugs can help people cope with ragweed (Ragwitek) and grass pollen (Grastek) allergies. To be effective, you need to start the meds about 12 weeks before the onset of the season. Talk with your allergist to see if either drug is right for you.

If you want to try the natural route, the herb butterbur has been proven to ease allergies. Prevention advisor Tierona Low Dog, MD, recommends taking 50 to 75 mg twice a day of the supplement Petadolex, which is a special butterbur preparation that’s been clinically studied.

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